What to Avoid During Monsoon Season
July 09, 2017.
Tags: Guide, Tips, Beach, Transportation
Phuket has a tropical monsoon climate, which brings winds from the South West bring rain and temperate weather from May to October. Since the island is such a widely visited destination, this period is also known as the low season, where hotel prices, Phuket apartment rental and tourist numbers drop significantly. Don’t let this fool you into thinking that it’s not worth a visit – you’ll get sunshine most of the time and the heat will make you thankful for the eventual rain.
There are several benefits to visiting Phuket during monsoon season; less crowds, more space on the beach, less divers and less traffic. However, there are plenty of things that you should also actively avoid during the monsoon season. Here are a few tips to keep you safe on your upcoming trip.
Don’t Swim at The Beach
Over the past few years, Phuket’s lifeguards and safety patrols have stepped up their game at beaches to deter tourists from swimming at the onset of monsoon season. You’ll see the zones delineated for you, usually with red and yellow flags – this means it’s safe to swim in those perimeters. When monsoon hits hard, the waves are especially violent and can potentially drown swimmers. It’s best to play it safe and swim at the more patrolled beaches like Patong and Kata.
Driving Motorbikes
If you’ve ever been on a tropical island when the rain begins to fall, you’ll know exactly how torrential the weather can get. The storms in Phuket are unpredictable during rainy season and as such, make it hazardous for motorbike drivers. The island’s hilly roads and narrow lanes don’t help matters much, so to stay safe on your journey, we suggest renting a car during this time instead.
Beware of the Lightning
Don’t let the monsoon season stop you visiting the many tourist sites that Phuket has to offer. However, if you get caught in the rain and lightning begins to strike, try to find shelter immediately. The water can get pretty high when it floods, so retreat indoors until the rain stops. You should also avoid metal objects, electric wires and motors.
Diving in the Nearby Islands
Dive sites around Phuket at Racha Yai and Racha Noi are generally safe during the monsoon season and might even be better than other times of the year. However, venturing out to the nearby islands like the Similan Islands or Richelieu Rock is too dangerous and boats won’t want to cross the water during this time. The storms are unpredictable and crossing over the sea when the waves are strong isn’t a good idea.
Portuguese Man-of-War
The Portuguese Man-of- War is an odd-looking marine creature that resembles jellyfish. Over the past several years, they’ve washed ashore in Phuket which has led authorities to ban swimming at these beaches. They’re quite venomous and their stings can cause severe injury and even death. It’s generally advised not to play in the water during monsoon season since these creatures tend to wash ashore.Rip Currents
These types of currents can be deadly, when waves funnel together into a forceful pull of water. While they happen all year round, they are notably stronger during monsoon season. Getting caught in a rip current is not a fun experience – it’s life threatening. The best way to avoid such a situation is to not get caught in one in the first place. If the red flags are up at the beach, that means the waves are too strong and you shouldn’t enter.Jellyfish
While the Portuguese man-of- war is the most dangerous marine threat during monsoon season, there are also plenty of jellyfish that drift in the waters of Phuket during monsoons season. The stings can be very painful but rarely fatal. If you happen to be stung while you’re swimming, make sure that you swim to shore straight away to neutralize the sting.At Rental for the Holidays, your safety and comfort is of utmost importance. If you choose one of our apartments or condominiums for rent in Phuket, we’ll provide you with more tips on how to keep yourself entertained during the monsoon season.